Crusaders:

1 George Bower
2 Brodie McAlister
3 Oliver Jager
4 Luke Romano
5 Mitchell Dunshea
6 Sione Havili
7 Tom Christie
8 Cullen Grace
9 Bryn Hall (C)
10 Brett Cameron
11 Leicester Faingaanuku
12 Dallas McLeod
13 Braydon Ennor
14 Sevu Reece
15 George Bridge

RESERVES:
16 Hugh Roach*
17 Isi Tuungafasi
18 Michael Alaalatoa
19 Whetukamokamo Douglas
20 Tom Sanders
21 Ereatara Enari
22 Fergus Burke**
23 Manasa Mataele

*Crusaders debut
**Super Rugby debut

.

Head Coach Scott Robertson confirmed today that All Blacks Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett, Richie Mo'unga and Jack Goodhue will all be rested for this match, with Bryn Hall to Captain the side at halfback. 

20-year-old Fergus Burke will get his first taste of Super Rugby against the Sunwolves, providing cover at first five-eighth, while experienced Super Rugby hooker and  Ta$man representative, Hugh Roach, joins the side as cover for McAlister.

I guess Hugh Roach would've played next to Alaalatoa before

Has Grace played much at 8? I dont recall him there.

Sanders will have flagged this game ages ago to rest players but man, that looks like a real 2nd XV. In fact it looks like a 2nd XXIII

@Duluth Why do you think that?

@Stargazer said in Sunwolves v Crusaders (round 7):

@Duluth Why do you think that?

They were both at the Tahs

@KiwiMurph Yeah, but Alaalatoa only played one game for the Tahs in the two years he was there.

@Stargazer said in Sunwolves v Crusaders (round 7):

@KiwiMurph Yeah, but Alaalatoa only played one game for the Tahs in the two years he was there.

There's also preseason etc.

@Crazy-Horse Was wondering the same thing. The NZU20s and Canterbury only used him at lock.

Cameron makes me nervous, even against the Sunwolves. And there's only Burke to come on if he shits the bed.

@Crazy-Horse Yep. Big role for Hall in this game.

@Crucial said in Sunwolves v Crusaders (round 7):

Sanders will have flagged this game ages ago to rest players but man, that looks like a real 2nd XV. In fact it looks like a 2nd XXIII

The Mako would take those Crusaders!

@Chris-B and your Mako comment quota per thread is maintained.

@Chris-B said in Sunwolves v Crusaders (round 7):

@Crucial said in Sunwolves v Crusaders (round 7):

Sanders will have flagged this game ages ago to rest players but man, that looks like a real 2nd XV. In fact it looks like a 2nd XXIII

The Mako would take those Crusaders!

Probably cost more too

This Saders side has absolutely no idea on attack. More like a wet paper bag. Farks sake come on guys! Gonna be the last tame for a while, jeez
Can't believe how much Bridge has regressed. Romano too. And Reece seems to be catching this malaise.

Just got back from the Blues game.. what's going on here? Have the Crusaders been shit?

I think 10 of the Crusaders starting XV are from the Canterbury NPC team.

Give the ball to Big Leicester!

How in the bloody hell did Brett Cameron ever get a starting gig with the ABs?

....or Sevu Reece!

@Jailbreak7 said in Sunwolves v Crusaders (round 7):

How in the bloody hell did Brett Cameron ever get a starting gig with the ABs?

Fozzie wanted him?

@Chris-B ...well that says it all...

Looks like Blues are going to still be tops at the end of toady, the way the saders are playing

@Jailbreak7 That's just a humorous speculation - but, TBH it was a pretty poor selection.

Meh. Crusaders virtually have the Canterbury M10 Cup side out there today. Even if they win ugly then so be it. 4 points is 4 points but I expect them to pull away in the 2nd half.

The Crusaders are awful. I keep expecting more and they underwhelm. Is Scott Robertson still the wonder coach?

Christie and Bower look up for it at least.

Scoreline flattering the Crusaders.

@broughie a few of the coaches that were supposed to be better than Fozzie have not done very well so far....

Those penalties are such a let off for defending teams.

@taniwharugby I am in no way suggesting Fozzie was the better alternative. The fact that he is in charge is a poor choice in my book.

Scott Robertson can't really win if he is copping shit after a three peat. Even if he wins this year, people will be throwing shit at him if he only comes 4th next season.

Crusaders doing a Chiefs

@broughie Its a poor choice in most peoples book....apart from the fisheads who appointed him of courrse

those jet shoes though!

@hydro11 who is in charge of selecting the forwards in Canterbury. They are weak and puny.

did Grace go off injured or subbed?

@hydro11 said in Sunwolves v Crusaders (round 7):

Scott Robertson can't really win if he is copping shit after a three peat. Even if he wins this year, people will be throwing shit at him if he only comes 4th next season.

While I'm cheering for the Crusaders, it's possibly not the best thing for the competition if they could shed the number of stalwarts that they have - Franks, Whitelock, Read, Todd, Crotty - and still win the title.

Floodgates have opened.

FFS Rugby is dead if that is a red card
Absolutely ridiculous

Tackle was a bit late and it was more the forearm than the elbow. Red is too tough for that but still a stupid move.